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How PetRoot scores products

Every PetRoot Score starts with what the product is meant to do. PetRoot then evaluates the exact formula using the standards and research that apply to that kind of product. Foods, treats, and toppers face different rules, and every product within a category faces the same ones.

A Rootcut illustration of a male researcher comparing source documents while a cat rests beneath the table

What is a PetRoot Score?

A PetRoot Score is a rating from 0 to 100 of how well a dog or cat food, treat or topper does the job it’s sold for, based on what the manufacturer discloses about the exact formula and the research behind PetRoot’s rules. Every product in a category is scored by the same fixed rules, so the same facts always produce the same score. Each score appears beside its Evidence Quality, which shows how well PetRoot’s sources support it.

How the PetRoot Score differs from Evidence Quality, Safety Status and Pet Fit

A product page in PetRoot can show four things. Each one answers a different question, and PetRoot keeps them separate.

82

PetRoot Score

How well does this product do its job?

The score judges the product itself against the rules for its category, so it’s the same for every pet. Each product page shows what raised or limited it.

Evidence Quality

How well can PetRoot support that score?

Evidence Quality reflects how complete, current and direct the product’s sources are, and whether they match the exact formula. A lower grade means less of the score could be confirmed from direct sources. It doesn’t mean the product is worse. When there isn’t enough verified information to support a score at all, the product shows “Not scored yet” in place of a number.

Safety Status

Is there a known safety concern?

PetRoot checks products separately against FDA recalls and safety advisories. If one may apply, the product page says so and links to the FDA notice, and if PetRoot hasn’t finished that check, the page says that too. A recall or advisory doesn’t change the score itself, so look at the safety notice as well as the number.

Pet Fit

Does this product suit my pet?

Pet Fit, part of PetRoot Plus, compares a product with the profile you save for your pet, such as allergies, sensitivities and ingredients you’d rather avoid. It can flag a conflict even when the PetRoot Score is high, and it never changes the score. Pet Fit is educational. If your pet has a food allergy or a medical condition, your veterinarian can guide food choices.

Different products need different rules

Complete foods

Expected to support the whole diet when fed as directed

  • Nutrient and life-stage balance
  • Protein sources and recipe foundation
  • Fats and fatty acids
  • Carbohydrates and fiber
  • Vitamins and minerals
  • How the whole formula works together
  • Testing or validation for the exact product

Treats

Expected to fit alongside the main diet in a sensible portion

  • Ingredients and protein sources
  • Calories per serving or piece
  • Portionability and feeding directions
  • How well the recipe serves its stated purpose
  • Support for exact-product claims

Toppers

Expected to add a specific benefit at the labeled serving

  • Ingredients and protein sources
  • Calories at labeled use
  • Feeding and preparation directions
  • Hydration, nutrients, or palatability delivered per serving
  • How well the recipe serves its stated purpose
  • Support for exact-product claims

What the score bands mean

Every score falls into a band. A band describes how the product did under PetRoot’s rules for its category. It makes no promise about how any one pet will do on it.

Bands compare products within a category. A Great treat is strong for a treat and a Great food is strong for a complete food, and the two scores can’t be compared directly.

Excellent
met PetRoot’s rules for its category very well, with few limitations found.
Great
strong for its category, with some limitations.
Good
a solid result for its category, with tradeoffs worth reading about on the product page.
Okay
an acceptable result for its category, with notable limitations.
Below average
its limitations outweigh its strengths under PetRoot’s rules for its category.
Not recommended
PetRoot found serious limitations for its category, and its rules don’t support recommending it.
Not scored yet
PetRoot doesn’t have enough verified information about the exact formula to support a score.

What PetRoot doesn’t score

A PetRoot Score leaves these out:

  • Price. Cost and value for money play no part.
  • Taste. PetRoot doesn’t measure whether pets enjoy a food.
  • Brand reputation. A brand’s name, popularity or advertising doesn’t count toward the score.
  • Affiliate links and retailers. Commissions, retailer relationships and click data never affect a score.
  • Owner reviews and star ratings. Reviews in the app stay separate from the score.
  • Front-of-package claims. Slogans and claims on the bag don’t count by themselves. The score looks at the recipe and nutrition facts behind them.
  • Your pet. The score is the same for every pet. Pet Fit, in PetRoot Plus, is where your pet’s profile comes in.
  • Products outside PetRoot’s scope. Veterinary and prescription diets, supplements, dental chews, grooming products, litter, and flea and tick products don’t receive a PetRoot Score.

Common questions

Can brands pay for a better score?

No. Brands can’t pay for a score, a better score or a change to one, and affiliate commissions, retailer relationships and click data are kept out of the scoring rules. PetRoot may earn a commission when you buy through some retailer links, and those links appear separately from the score. A manufacturer can send a factual correction with evidence, the same way anyone can, and PetRoot corrects confirmed facts.

Is the score generated by AI?

No. Fixed, versioned rules calculate every PetRoot Score from the product’s recorded facts, so the same facts always produce the same score. No AI model chooses, adjusts or overrides a score.

Why are treats scored differently?

Because they do a different job. A complete food is meant to be your pet’s whole diet, so its rules look at nutrition and life-stage balance, the recipe and how the whole formula works together. A treat is a small extra alongside that diet, so its rules look at its ingredients, its calories per piece or serving and how easy it is to portion sensibly. Toppers have their own rules too, based on what they add at the labeled serving. A treat’s score compares it with what PetRoot expects from a treat, so it can’t be lined up directly against a food’s score.

Score changes and updates

When PetRoot changes how scores are worked out, or rescores products, we add a dated line here.

  • : Added this guide to what a PetRoot Score means, how it differs from Evidence Quality, Safety Status and Pet Fit, and what PetRoot doesn’t score.

The full reading list of research behind PetRoot’s rules follows below.

Backed by research

231research publications
71journals and repositories

PetRoot's scoring rules draw from nutritional standards, veterinary guidance, safety records, and research. The reading list includes studies that support a rule and studies that limit how broadly it can be applied. Theses are identified separately from peer-reviewed journal articles.

Access Microbiology1 paper
  1. Microbiota of healthy dogs demonstrate a significant decrease in richness and changes in specific bacterial groups in response to supplementation with resistant starch, but not psyllium or methylcellulose, in a randomized cross-over trial

    Salavati Schmitz S, Perez-Accino Salgado J, Glendinning L · 2024

    Food scoring
American Journal of Veterinary Research7 papers
  1. Effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain DSM13241 in healthy adult dogs

    Baillon MLA, Marshall-Jones ZV, Butterwick RF · 2004

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  2. Comparison of fermentation of selected fructooligosaccharides and other fiber substrates by canine colonic microflora

    Vickers RJ, Sunvold GD, Kelley RL, Reinhart GA · 2001

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  3. Influence of dietary calcium and phosphorus content in a fixed ratio on growth and development in Great Danes

    Lauten SD, Cox NR, Brawner WR Jr, Goodman SA, Hathcock JT, Montgomery RD, Kincaid SA, Morrison NE, Spano JS, Lepine AJ, Reinhart GA, Baker HJ · 2002

    Dog recommendations
  4. Inheritance of gluten-sensitive enteropathy in Irish Setters

    Garden OA, Pidduck H, Lakhani KH, Walker D, Wood JL, Batt RM · 2000

    Dog recommendations
  5. Clinical observations in collies given ivermectin orally

    Paul AJ, Tranquilli WJ, Seward RL, Todd KS Jr, DiPietro JA · 1987

    Dog recommendations
  6. Comparison of corn gluten meal and meat meal as a protein source in dry foods formulated for cats

    Funaba M, Matsumoto C, Matsuki K, Gotoh K, Kaneko M, Iriki T, Hatano Y, Abe M · 2002

    Food scoring
  7. Effects of a nutrient-enriched water with and without poultry flavoring on water intake, urine specific gravity, and urine output in healthy domestic cats fed a dry kibble diet

    Zanghi BM, Wils-Plotz E, DeGeer S, Gardner CL · 2018

    Food scoring
Animal Feed Science and Technology1 paper
  1. Dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 improves gut health indicators and fecal microbiota of dogs

    de Lima DC, Souza CMM, Nakamura N, Mesa D, de Oliveira SG, Félix AP · 2020

    Food scoring · Product evidence
Animals12 papers
  1. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Quality Claims Associated with Fresh Pet Food: Evaluating Scientific Evidence for Additives, Ingredient Quality, and Effects of Processing in Pet Nutrition

    Jobe MT, Downs KM · 2026

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  2. A Novel Prebiotic Fibre Blend Supports the Gastrointestinal Health of Senior Dogs

    Melanie Le Bon, Laura Carvell-Miller, Zoe Marshall-Jones, Phillip Watson, Gregory Amos · 2023

    Food scoring · Supplemental product scoring
  3. The Impact of Fiber Source on Digestive Function, Fecal Microbiota, and Immune Response in Adult Dogs

    Miquel Montserrat-Malagarriga, Lorena Castillejos, Anna Salas-Mani, Celina Torre, Susana M Martín-Orúe · 2024

    Food scoring · Supplemental product scoring
  4. The Supplementation of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Concentrated Fish Oil Enhances Cognitive Function in Puppies

    Roberta Bueno Ayres Rodrigues, Rafael Vessecchi Amorim Zafalon, Mariana Fragoso Rentas, Larissa Wünsche Risolia, Henrique Tobaro Macedo, Mariana Pamplona Perini, Amanda Maria Gomes da Silva, Pedro Henrique Marchi, Júlio César de Carvalho Balieiro, Wandréa Souza Mendes, Thiago Henrique Annibale Vendramini, Marcio Antonio Brunetto · 2023

    Food scoring · Dog recommendations
  5. Feeding Fiber-Bound Polyphenol Ingredients at Different Levels Modulates Colonic Postbiotics to Improve Gut Health in Dogs

    Jewell DE, Jackson MI, Cochrane CY · 2022

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  6. Association between Birth Weight and Mortality over the Two First Months after Birth in Feline Species: Definition of Breed-Specific Thresholds

    Mugnier A, Gaillard V, Chastant S · 2023

    Cat recommendations
  7. From Nutritional Adequacy to Hygiene Quality: A Detailed Assessment of Commercial Raw Pet-Food for Dogs and Cats

    Vecchiato CG, Schwaiger K, Biagi G, Dobenecker B · 2022

    Food scoring
  8. Growth Curves and Body Condition of Young Cats and Their Relation to Maternal Body Condition

    Opsomer H, Liesegang A, Brugger D, Wichert B · 2022

    Cat recommendations
  9. A Comparison of Key Essential Nutrients in Commercial Plant-Based Pet Foods Sold in Canada to American and European Canine and Feline Dietary Recommendations

    Dodd SAS, Shoveller AK, Fascetti AJ, Yu ZZ, Ma DWL, Verbrugghe A · 2021

    Food scoring
  10. Challenges and Methodologies to Assess Protein Requirement and Quality Across Different Life Stages in Dogs: A Review

    Scarpim LB, Pacheco LG · 2026

    Food scoring
  11. Impact of Hypocaloric Diets on Weight Loss and Body Composition in Obese Dogs: A Meta-Analysis

    Vanelli K, Wisneski RF, Estevão C, Mayer FC, Costa LB, Webber SH, Pimpão CT · 2025

    Food scoring
  12. Feeding Fiber-Bound Polyphenol Ingredients at Different Levels Modulates Colonic Postbiotics to Improve Gut Health in Cats

    Jewell DE, Jackson MI, Cochrane CY, Badri DV · 2022

    Food scoring
Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine1 paper
  1. Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats in southwestern Poland

    Sroka J, Karamon J, Dutkiewicz J, Wójcik Fatla A, Zając V, Cencek T · 2018

    Cat recommendations
BMC Veterinary Research5 papers
  1. An un-commissioned randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to test the effect of deep sea fish oil as a pain reliever for dogs suffering from canine OA

    Hielm-Björkman A, Roine J, Elo K, Lappalainen A, Junnila J, Laitinen-Vapaavuori O · 2012

    Supplemental product scoring
  2. Comparison of the total and individual purine content of commercial maintenance dog foods and therapeutic dog foods that may be prescribed to prevent urate urolithiasis

    Ishii CS, Scott KC, Abrahan C, Harmon TA, Colee JC, Queau Y, Biourge V, Garrett TJ, Hill RC · 2025

    Dog recommendations
  3. Safety and efficacy of aged garlic extract in dogs: upregulation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway and Nrf2-regulated phase II antioxidant enzymes

    Yamato O, Tsuneyoshi T, Ushijima M, Jikihara H, Yabuki A · 2018

    Dog recommendations
  4. Evaluation of dogs with genetic hyperuricosuria and urate urolithiasis consuming a purine restricted diet: a pilot study

    Westropp JL, Larsen JA, Johnson EG, Bannasch D, Fascetti AJ, Biourge V, Queau Y · 2017

    Dog recommendations
  5. Influence of protein concentration and quality in a canned diet on urine composition, apparent nutrient digestibility and energy supply in adult cats

    Paßlack N, Kohn B, Doherr MG, Zentek J · 2018

    Food scoring
British Journal of Nutrition8 papers
  1. The effects of dietary fibre type on satiety-related hormones and voluntary food intake in dogs

    Bosch G, Verbrugghe A, Hesta M, Holst JJ, van der Poel AFB, Janssens GPJ, Hendriks WH · 2009

    Food scoring
  2. Dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio affects postprandial phosphorus concentrations in feline plasma

    Coltherd JC, Staunton R, Colyer A, Gilham M, Rawlings J, Alexander JE, Logan DW, Butterwick R, Watson P, Bakke AM · 2022

    Food scoring
  3. Safety evaluation of vitamin A in growing dogs

    Morris PJ, Salt C, Raila J, Brenten T, Kohn B, Schweigert FJ, Zentek J · 2012

    Supplemental product scoring
  4. Towards establishing no observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL) for different sources of dietary phosphorus in feline adult diets: results from a 7-month feeding study

    Coltherd JC, Alexander JE, Pink C, Rawlings J, Elliott J, Haydock R, Carvell-Miller LJ, Biourge VC, Molina L, Butterwick R, Logan DW, Watson P, Bakke AM · 2021

    Cat recommendations
  5. Effects of the long-term feeding of diets enriched with inorganic phosphorus on the adult feline kidney and phosphorus metabolism

    Alexander J, Stockman J, Atwal J, Butterwick R, Colyer A, Elliott D, Gilham M, Morris P, Staunton R, Renfrew H, Elliott J, Watson P · 2019

    Cat recommendations
  6. Dietary supplementation with medium-chain TAG has long-lasting cognition-enhancing effects in aged dogs

    Pan Y, Larson B, Araujo JA, Lau W, de Rivera C, Santana R, Gore A, Milgram NW · 2010

    Dog recommendations
  7. Gonadectomy and high dietary fat but not high dietary carbohydrate induce gains in body weight and fat of domestic cats

    Backus RC, Cave NJ, Keisler DH · 2007

    Cat recommendations
  8. Effect of dietary water intake on urinary output, specific gravity and relative supersaturation for calcium oxalate and struvite in the cat

    Buckley CMF, Hawthorne A, Colyer A, Stevenson AE · 2011

    Food scoring
Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research1 paper
  1. Evaluation of meat meal, chicken meal, and corn gluten meal as dietary sources of protein in dry cat food

    Funaba M, Oka Y, Kobayashi S, Kaneko M, Yamamoto H, Namikawa K, Iriki T, Hatano Y, Abe M · 2005

    Food scoring
Canadian Veterinary Journal2 papers
  1. Evaluation of 21 426 feline bladder urolith submissions to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre (1998-2014)

    Houston DM, Vanstone NP, Moore AE, Weese HE, Weese JS · 2016

    Cat recommendations
  2. Nutritional and microbial analysis of bully sticks and survey of opinions about pet treats

    Freeman LM, Janecko N, Weese JS · 2013

    Food scoring
Chemical Senses1 paper
  1. Food and Food-Odor Preferences in Dogs: A Pilot Study

    Hall NJ, Péron F, Cambou S, Callejon L, Wynne CDL · 2017

    Food scoring · Supplemental product scoring · Product evidence
Comparative Clinical Pathology1 paper
  1. Dehydrated natural feed for dogs: influence on digestibility, immunity, and antioxidant response

    Cécere BGO et al. · 2025

    Peer-reviewed journal article

    Food scoring · Processing
Disease Models & Mechanisms1 paper
  1. The Menkes and Wilson disease genes counteract in copper toxicosis in Labrador retrievers: a new canine model for copper-metabolism disorders

    Fieten H, Gill Y, Martin AJ, Concilli M, Dirksen K, van Steenbeek FG, Spee B, van den Ingh TS, Martens EC, Festa P, Chesi G, van de Sluis B, Houwen RH, Watson AL, Aulchenko YS, Hodgkinson VL, Zhu S, Petris MJ, Polishchuk RS, Leegwater PA, Rothuizen J · 2016

    Dog recommendations
Drug Metabolism and Disposition1 paper
  1. Pharmacokinetic interaction of the antiparasitic agents ivermectin and spinosad in dogs

    Dunn ST, Hedges L, Sampson KE, Lai Y, Mahabir S, Balogh L, Locuson CW · 2011

    Dog recommendations
Food and Nutrition Sciences1 paper
  1. Dehydrated Natural Feed for Cats: Influence on Apparent Digestibility Coefficient, Feces Scores, and Serum Immune, Antioxidant, and Metabolic Biomarkers

    Cécere BGO et al. · 2024

    Journal article; publisher reports received/revised/accepted dates

    Food scoring · Cat recommendations · Processing
Frontiers in Nutrition1 paper
  1. Efficacy of a Therapeutic Diet on Dogs With Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS): A Prospective Double Blinded Placebo Controlled Clinical Study

    Pan Y, Landsberg G, Mougeot I, Kelly S, Xu H, Bhatnagar S, Gardner CL, Milgram NW · 2018

    Dog recommendations
Frontiers in Veterinary Science7 papers
  1. Diet-induced metabolic and faecal microbiome responses in pet dogs fed a minimally processed versus extruded kibble diet

    Louise Campbell, Mary Thompson, Matthew Muir, David Raubenheimer, Andrew Holmes · 2026

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  2. Impacts of vitamin premix and/or yeast ingredient inclusion in a canned cat food on thiamin retention during 6 months of storage

    Dainton AN, White B, Lambrakis L, Aldrich CG · 2022

    Food scoring
  3. Species- and breed-associated heterogeneity in age-related increases in periodontal disease risk among dogs and cats based on Japanese insurance claim data

    Akiyama N, Matsumoto Y, Horie R · 2026

    Cat recommendations
  4. Exploratory analysis of nutrient composition of adult and senior dog diets

    German K, Melgoza C, Torres-Henderson C · 2025

    Food scoring
  5. Therapeutic effect of aged garlic extract on gingivitis in dogs

    Takahashi K, Nango H, Ushijima M, Takashima M, Nakamoto M, Matsutomo T, Jikihara H, Arakawa N, Maki S, Yabuki A, Endo Y, Yamato O · 2023

    Dog recommendations
  6. Use of Legumes and Yeast as Novel Dietary Protein Sources in Extruded Canine Diets

    Reilly LM, He F, Rodriguez-Zas SL, Southey BR, Hoke JM, Davenport GM, de Godoy MRC · 2021

    Food scoring
  7. Study of the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, marine based fatty acid compounds (PCSO-524 and EAB-277), and carprofen for the treatment of dogs with hip osteoarthritis: A prospective, block-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial

    Kampa N, Kaenkangploo D, Jitpean S, Srithunyarat T, Seesupa S, Hoisang S, Yongvanit K, Kamlangchai P, Tuchpramuk P, Lascelles BDX · 2023

    Supplemental product scoring
Genomics1 paper
  1. A substitution mutation in the myosin binding protein C gene in ragdoll hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

    Meurs KM, Norgard MM, Ederer MM, Hendrix KP, Kittleson MD · 2007

    Cat recommendations
Gut1 paper
  1. Dietary modulation of gluten sensitivity in a naturally occurring enteropathy of Irish setter dogs

    Hall EJ, Batt RM · 1992

    Dog recommendations
Gut Microbes1 paper
  1. Balance of saccharolysis and proteolysis underpins improvements in stool quality induced by adding a fiber bundle containing bound polyphenols to either hydrolyzed meat or grain-rich foods

    Jackson MI, Jewell DE · 2019

    Food scoring
International Journal of Molecular Sciences1 paper
  1. A 2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis

    Barbeau-Grégoire M, Otis C, Cournoyer A, Moreau M, Lussier B, Troncy E · 2022

    Cat recommendations · Dog recommendations
Irish Veterinary Journal1 paper
  1. Prevalence and risk factors for hyperthyroidism in Irish cats from the greater Dublin area

    Bree L, Gallagher BA, Shiel RE, Mooney CT · 2018

    Cat recommendations
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry1 paper
  1. Quantitation of Maillard Reaction Products in Commercially Available Pet Foods

    Charlotte van Rooijen, Guido Bosch, Antonius F B van der Poel, Peter A Wierenga, Lucille Alexander, Wouter H Hendriks · 2014

    Food scoring · Product evidence
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition7 papers
  1. The effect of urine acidification on calcium oxalate relative supersaturation in cats

    Bijsmans ES, Quéau Y, Feugier A, Biourge VC · 2021

    Food scoring
  2. Bioavailability of lysine for kittens in overheated casein is underestimated by the rat growth assay method

    Larsen JA, Fascetti AJ, Calvert CC, Rogers QR · 2010

    Food scoring
  3. The effect of dietary long-chain omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on owner's perception of behaviour and locomotion in cats with naturally occurring osteoarthritis

    Corbee RJ, Barnier MM, van de Lest CH, Hazewinkel HA · 2013

    Cat recommendations
  4. Lipoic acid is 10 times more toxic in cats than reported in humans, dogs or rats

    Hill AS, Werner JA, Rogers QR, O'Neill SL, Christopher MM · 2004

    Cat recommendations
  5. Leptin, body fat content and energy expenditure in intact and gonadectomized adult cats: a preliminary study

    Martin L, Siliart B, Dumon H, Backus R, Biourge V, Nguyen P · 2001

    Cat recommendations
  6. Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog diet digestibility and postprandial glucose and insulin response

    Carciofi AC, Takakura FS, De‐Oliveira LD, Teshima E, Jeremias JT, Brunetto MA, Prada F · 2008

    Food scoring
  7. Renal phosphorus excretion in adult healthy cats after the intake of high phosphorus diets with either calcium monophosphate or sodium monophosphate

    Dobenecker B, Hertel‐Böhnke P, Webel A, Kienzle E · 2018

    Food scoring
Journal of Animal Science28 papers
  1. Influence of lignocellulose and low or high levels of sugar beet pulp on nutrient digestibility and the fecal microbiota in dogs

    S Kröger, W Vahjen, J Zentek · 2017

    Food scoring · Supplemental product scoring
  2. 306 Fresh-frozen canine diets improve fecal consistency compared to extruded dry kibble

    Claire L Timlin, Fiona B Mccracken, Sarah M Dickerson, Catherine Carchedi, Brittany White, Craig N Coon · 2025

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  3. Evaluation of graded levels of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 on apparent nutrient digestibility, stool quality, and intestinal health indicators in healthy adult dogs

    Acuff HL, Aldrich CG · 2021

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  4. Effects of Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30, 6086) supplementation on apparent total tract nutrient digestibility and the fecal characteristics and metabolites, immunity, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs

    Wilson SM, Kang Y, Wren JF, Menton JF, Vinay E, Millette M, Kelly MR, Xie Z, Miller MJ, Swanson KS · 2025

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  5. Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on fecal characteristics, nutrient digestibility, fecal fermentative end-products, fecal microbial populations, immune function, and diet palatability in adult dogs

    Lin CY, Alexander C, Steelman AJ, Warzecha CM, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS · 2019

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  6. Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product-supplemented diet on fecal characteristics, oxidative stress, and blood gene expression of adult dogs undergoing transport stress

    Wilson SM, Oba PM, Applegate CC, Koziol SA, Panasevich MR, Norton SA, Swanson KS · 2023

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  7. Effects of a Lactobacillus fermentation product on the fecal characteristics, fecal microbial populations, immune function, and stress markers of adult dogs

    Koziol SA, Oba PM, Soto-Diaz K, Steelman AJ, Suchodolski JS, Eckhardt ERM, Swanson KS · 2023

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  8. A dose-response experiment evaluating the effects of oligofructose and inulin on nutrient digestibility, stool quality, and fecal protein catabolites in healthy adult dogs

    Propst EL, Flickinger EA, Bauer LL, Merchen NR, Fahey GC Jr · 2003

    Food scoring
  9. Assessment of commercial companion animal kefir products for label accuracy of microbial composition and quantity

    Metras BN, Holle MJ, Parker VJ, Miller MJ, Swanson KS · 2020

    Supplemental product scoring
  10. Nutrient digestibility and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites in dogs fed human-grade foods

    Do S, Phungviwatnikul T, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS · 2021

    Food scoring
  11. Apparent total tract energy and macronutrient digestibility and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations of domestic cats fed extruded, raw beef-based, and cooked beef-based diets

    Kerr KR, Vester Boler BM, Morris CL, Liu KJ, Swanson KS · 2012

    Food scoring
  12. Standardized amino acid digestibility and nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy of frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, mildly cooked, and retorted dog foods using the precision-fed cecectomized and conventional rooster assays

    Geary EL, Vogel CL, Parsons CM, Utterback PL, Templeman JR, Danao M-GC, Swanson KS · 2025

    Food scoring
  13. Processing of corn-based dog foods through pelleting, baking and extrusion and their effect on apparent total tract digestibility and colonic health of adult dogs

    Isabella Corsato Alvarenga, Ryan Lierz, Youhan Chen, Andrea Lu, Nanyan Lu, Charles G Aldrich · 2024

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  14. Effects of a mildly cooked human-grade dog diet on gene expression, skin and coat health measures, and fecal microbiota of healthy adult dogs

    Elizabeth L Geary, Patrícia M Oba, Catherine C Applegate, Lindsay V Clark, Christopher J Fields, Kelly S Swanson · 2022

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  15. Water intake and consumption behavior of colony and privately-owned healthy domestic cats fed 100% dry, 50% dry and 50% wet, and 100% wet diets: a comparison of research and home environments

    Ryan A van Diggelen, Genevieve J J Gillies, Anna K Shoveller, Sydney Banton, Pauline A L Kosmal · 2026

    Food scoring · Cat recommendations
  16. Nutrient and Maillard reaction product concentrations of commercially available pet foods and treats

    Oba PM, Hwisa N, Huang X, Cadwallader KR, Swanson KS · 2022

    Food scoring
  17. Concentrations of Maillard reaction products and advanced glycation end-products in commercially available extruded dry, retorted wet, and mildly cooked (fresh) cat foods from the United Kingdom and United States

    Tate DE, Tanprasertsuk J, Tarr DS, Shmalberg J, Honaker RW · 2026

    Food scoring
  18. Different carbohydrate sources in dog foods supported overall health and cardiac function: an 18-mo prospective study in healthy adult dogs

    Morris EM, Stiers CA, Hancock LB, Gross KL · 2025

    Dog recommendations
  19. Natural pet food: a review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology

    Buff PR, Carter RA, Bauer JE, Kersey JH · 2014

    Food scoring
  20. Hormonal regulation of calcium homeostasis in two breeds of dogs during growth at different rates

    Tryfonidou MA, Holl MS, Vastenburg M, Oosterlaken-Dijksterhuis MA, Birkenhäger-Frenkel DH, van den Brom WE, Hazewinkel HA · 2003

    Dog recommendations
  21. Apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility of mildly cooked human-grade vegan dog foods and their effects on the blood metabolites and fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites of adult dogs

    Roberts LJ, Oba PM, Swanson KS · 2023

    Food scoring
  22. A meta-analysis: dietary carbohydrates do not increase body fat or fasted insulin and glucose in cats

    Godfrey H, Ellis JL, Verbrugghe A · 2025

    Food scoring
  23. Digestible indispensable amino acid scores of animal and plant ingredients potentially used in dog diet formulation: how this protein quality metric is affected by ingredient characteristics and reference amino acid profile

    Templeman JR, Shoveller AK · 2022

    Food scoring
  24. Effects of six carbohydrate sources on diet digestibility and postprandial glucose and insulin responses in cats

    de-Oliveira LD, Carciofi AC, Oliveira MCC, Vasconcellos RS, Bazolli RS, Pereira GT, Prada F · 2008

    Food scoring
  25. Effects of species raw material source, ash content, and processing temperature on amino acid digestibility of animal by-product meals by cecectomized roosters and ileally cannulated dogs

    Johnson ML, Parsons CM, Fahey GC, Merchen NR, Aldrich CG · 1998

    Food scoring
  26. Protein and amino acid bioavailability estimates for canine foods

    Hendriks WH, Bakker EJ, Bosch G · 2015

    Food scoring
  27. The effects on nutrient utilization and stool quality of Beagle dogs fed diets with beet pulp, cellulose, and Miscanthus grass

    Donadelli RA, Aldrich CG · 2019

    Food scoring
  28. Apparent total-tract macronutrient digestibility, serum chemistry, urinalysis, and fecal characteristics, metabolites and microbiota of adult dogs fed extruded, mildly cooked, and raw diets

    Algya KM, Cross TWL, Leuck KN, Kastner ME, Baba T, Lye L, de Godoy MRC, Swanson KS · 2018

    Food scoring
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery15 papers
  1. Discrepancy between use of lean body mass or nitrogen balance to determine protein requirements for adult cats

    Laflamme DP, Hannah SS · 2013

    Food scoring · Cat recommendations
  2. Psyllium husk powder increases defecation frequency and faecal score, bulk and moisture in healthy cats

    Keller E, Laxalde J, Tranier N, Belmar von Kretschmann P, Jackson A, van Hoek I · 2024

    Food scoring
  3. 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of lower urinary tract diseases in cats

    Taylor S, Boysen S, Buffington T, Chalhoub S, Defauw P, Delgado MM, Gunn-Moore D, Korman R · 2025

    Cat recommendations
  4. Dietary phosphorus and renal disease in cats: where are we?

    Stockman J · 2024

    Cat recommendations
  5. Commonly diagnosed disorders in domestic cats in the UK and their associations with sex and age

    O'Neill DG, Gunn-Moore D, Sorrell S, McAuslan H, Church DB, Pegram C, Brodbelt DC · 2023

    Cat recommendations
  6. Periodontal disease in cats under primary veterinary care in the UK: frequency and risk factors

    O'Neill DG, Blenkarn A, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, Freeman A · 2023

    Cat recommendations
  7. Associations between early neutering, obesity, outdoor access, trauma and feline degenerative joint disease

    Maniaki E, Murrell J, Langley-Hobbs SJ, Blackwell EJ · 2021

    Cat recommendations
  8. ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

    Sparkes AH, Caney S, Chalhoub S, Elliott J, Finch N, Gajanayake I, Langston C, Lefebvre HP, White J, Quimby J · 2016

    Cat recommendations
  9. Clinical effects and outcome of feline permethrin spot-on poisonings reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), London

    Sutton NM, Bates N, Campbell A · 2007

    Cat recommendations
  10. Oral glucosamine and the management of feline idiopathic cystitis

    Gunn-Moore DA, Shenoy CM · 2004

    Cat recommendations
  11. A critical review of food-associated factors proposed in the etiology of feline hyperthyroidism

    van Hoek I, Hesta M, Biourge V · 2014

    Cat recommendations
  12. Commercial vs Homemade Cat Diets: What you need to know

    Villaverde C, Chandler M · 2022

    Food scoring
  13. Comparison of signalment, clinical, laboratory and radiographic parameters in cats with feline asthma and chronic bronchitis

    Grotheer M, Hirschberger J, Hartmann K, Castelletti N, Schulz B · 2019

    Cat recommendations
  14. ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Practical Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats

    Sparkes AH, Cannon M, Church D, Fleeman L, Harvey A, Hoenig M, Peterson ME, Reusch CE, Taylor S, Rosenberg D · 2015

    Food scoring
  15. 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus in cats

    Taylor S, Cannon M, Church D, Fleeman L, Fracassi F, Gilor C, Mott J, Niessen S · 2025

    Food scoring
Journal of Food Composition and Analysis1 paper
  1. Ingredient label claim compliance and oxidative quality of EPA/DHA omega-3 retail products in the U.S.

    Bannenberg G, Rice HB, Bernasconi A, Ferrari A, Mallon C, Navarrete L, Hughes R, Igarashi J, Persons K, Latynski L, Phung A, Wang S, Ismail A · 2020

    Supplemental product scoring
Journal of Food Protection1 paper
  1. Inactivation of Salmonella, Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Diet Pet Foods Using High-Pressure Processing

    Lee A, Maks-Warren N, Aguilar V, Piszczor K, Swicegood B, Ye M, Warren J, O'Neill E, Fleck M, Tejayadi S · 2023

    Product safety
Journal of Nutritional Science3 papers
  1. [Effects of purine-rich nutrition on the renal and extrarenal excretion of purine catabolites in Dalmatian dogs]

    Giesecke D, Stangassinger M · 1990

    Dog recommendations
  2. The effect of changing the moisture levels of dry extruded and wet canned diets on physical activity in cats

    Thomas DG, Post M, Bosch G · 2017

    Food scoring
  3. Reactive lysine content in commercially available pet foods

    van Rooijen C, Bosch G, van der Poel AFB, Wierenga PA, Alexander L, Hendriks WH · 2014

    Food scoring
Journal of Small Animal Practice6 papers
  1. Dystocia in cats under UK primary emergency veterinary care: epidemiology, clinical management and outcomes

    Leicester L, O'Neill DG · 2026

    Cat recommendations
  2. Prevalence and risk factors for gingivitis in a cohort of UK companion cats aged up to 6 years

    Williams JL, Roberts C, Harley R, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Murray JK · 2024

    Cat recommendations
  3. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting

    O'Neill DG, Mitchell CE, Humphrey J, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C · 2021

    Dog recommendations
  4. WSAVA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines

    WSAVA Nutritional Assessment Guidelines Task Force Members, Freeman L, Becvarova I, Cave N, MacKay C, Nguyen P, Rama B, Takashima G, Tiffin R, Tsjimoto H, van Beukelen P · 2011

    Food scoring
  5. Risk factors for feline hyperthyroidism in the UK

    Wakeling J, Everard A, Brodbelt D, Elliott J, Syme H · 2009

    Cat recommendations
  6. Prospective randomised blinded clinical trial assessing effectiveness of three dental plaque control methods in dogs

    Allan RM, Adams VJ, Johnston NW · 2018

    Food scoring
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology1 paper
  1. Feline polycystic kidney disease mutation identified in PKD1

    Lyons LA, Biller DS, Erdman CA, Lipinski MJ, Young AE, Roe BA, Qin B, Grahn RA · 2004

    Cat recommendations
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association17 papers
  1. Evaluation of cognitive learning, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in healthy puppies fed foods fortified with docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil from 8 to 52 weeks of age

    Steven C Zicker, Dennis E Jewell, Ryan M Yamka, Norton W Milgram · 2012

    Food scoring · Dog recommendations
  2. Analysis of thiamine concentrations in commercial canned foods formulated for cats

    Markovich JE, Freeman LM, Heinze CR · 2014

    Food scoring
  3. High fat, high risk? Evaluating the strength of evidence linking dietary fat and pancreatitis in dogs

    Yamka R, Sires R, Wakshlag J, Gaylord L, Cridge H · 2026

    Dog recommendations
  4. Gonadectomy status and age are associated with variable risk of overweight or obese outcomes in 15 dog breeds: a retrospective cohort study using data from primary care veterinary clinics

    Benka VA, Sahrmann JM, Rieke K, Briggs JR, Spofford N, Zawistowski S, Ruple A, Romagnoli S, Morrison JA · 2025

    Dog recommendations
  5. Cystine urolithiasis-free duration after first occurrence and treatment is longer for castrated dogs than for sexually intact male dogs

    Johnson KA, Cline M, Bastian RP, Eck A, Davis S, Davis GJ · 2024

    Dog recommendations
  6. Concentrated tea tree oil toxicosis in dogs and cats: 443 cases (2002-2012)

    Khan SA, McLean MK, Slater MR · 2014

    Cat recommendations
  7. Risk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease in cats evaluated at primary care veterinary hospitals

    Greene JP, Lefebvre SL, Wang M, Yang M, Lund EM, Polzin DJ · 2014

    Cat recommendations
  8. Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat-based diets for dogs and cats

    Freeman LM, Chandler ML, Hamper BA, Weeth LP · 2013

    Cat recommendations
  9. Comparison of the guaranteed analysis with the measured nutrient composition of commercial pet foods

    Hill RC, Choate CJ, Scott KC, Molenberghs G · 2009

    Food scoring
  10. Esophageal foreign body obstruction caused by a dental chew treat in 31 dogs (2000-2006)

    Leib MS, Sartor LL · 2008

    Dog recommendations
  11. Acute hepatic failure and coagulopathy associated with xylitol ingestion in eight dogs

    Dunayer EK, Gwaltney-Brant SM · 2006

    Dog recommendations
  12. Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs

    Smith GK, Paster ER, Powers MY, Lawler DF, Biery DN, Shofer FS, McKelvie PJ, Kealy RD · 2006

    Dog recommendations
  13. Epidemiologic study of relationships between consumption of commercial canned food and risk of hyperthyroidism in cats

    Edinboro CH, Scott-Moncrieff JC, Janovitz E, Thacker HL, Glickman LT · 2004

    Cat recommendations
  14. Association between patient-related factors and risk of calcium oxalate and magnesium ammonium phosphate urolithiasis in cats

    Lekcharoensuk C, Lulich JP, Osborne CA, Koehler LA, Urlich LK, Carpenter KA, Swanson LL · 2000

    Cat recommendations
  15. Heinz body formation in cats fed baby food containing onion powder

    Robertson JE, Christopher MM, Rogers QR · 1998

    Cat recommendations
  16. Zinc-responsive dermatosis in northern-breed dogs: 17 cases (1990-1996)

    Colombini S, Dunstan RW · 1997

    Dog recommendations
  17. Epizootiologic evaluation of urolithiasis in cats: 3,498 cases (1982-1992)

    Thumchai R, Lulich J, Osborne CA, King VL, Lund EM, Marsh WE, Ulrich LK, Koehler LA, Bird KA · 1996

    Cat recommendations
Journal of Veterinary Dentistry2 papers
  1. Effectiveness of an oral hygiene chew to reduce dental deposits in small breed dogs

    Hennet P, Servet E, Venet C · 2006

    Dog recommendations
  2. Benefits of a 'dental hygiene chew' on the periodontal health of cats

    Gorrel C, Inskeep G, Inskeep T · 1998

    Cat recommendations
Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care3 papers
  1. Alpha lipoic acid toxicosis in cats (2008-2016): Four cases

    Carpenter MM, Hovda LR · 2022

    Cat recommendations
  2. Retrospective evaluation of xylitol ingestion in dogs: 192 cases (2007-2012)

    DuHadway MR, Sharp CR, Meyers KE, Koenigshof AM · 2015

    Dog recommendations
  3. Adverse reactions from essential oil-containing natural flea products exempted from Environmental Protection Agency regulations in dogs and cats

    Genovese AG, McLean MK, Khan SA · 2012

    Cat recommendations · Dog recommendations
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine22 papers
  1. A high-protein, high-fiber diet designed for weight loss improves satiety in dogs

    Weber M, Bissot T, Servet E, Sergheraert R, Biourge V, German AJ · 2007

    Food scoring
  2. Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on presence of diarrhea in cats and dogs housed in an animal shelter

    Bybee SN, Scorza AV, Lappin MR · 2011

    Supplemental product scoring
  3. Long-term safety of dietary salt: A 5-year ProspEctive rAndomized bliNded and controlled stUdy in healThy aged cats (PEANUT study)

    Reynolds BS, Chetboul V, Elliott J, Laxalde J, Nguyen P, Testault I, Dorso L, Abadie J, Lefebvre HP, Biourge V · 2024

    Food scoring
  4. Clinical importance of borderline proteinuria in nonazotemic cats and evaluation of other risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease

    Mortier F, Daminet S, Marynissen S, Verbeke J, Paepe D · 2025

    Cat recommendations
  5. Epidemiological Evaluation of Neuter Status, Sex, and Breed in Dogs With Cystine Uroliths

    Lulich JP, Ulrich R, Furrow E · 2025

    Dog recommendations
  6. Frequency, Risk Factors, and Mortality for Diabetes Mellitus in 1 225 130 Cats Under Primary Veterinary Care in the United Kingdom in 2019

    Waite O, Gostelow R, Wright E, Jepson RE, Brodbelt DC, O'Neill DG · 2025

    Cat recommendations
  7. Comparison of echocardiographic measurements and cardiac biomarkers in healthy dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets

    Owens EJ, LeBlanc NL, Freeman LM, Scollan KF · 2023

    Food scoring
  8. Occurrence and clinical management of urethral obstruction in male cats under primary veterinary care in the United Kingdom in 2016

    Beeston D, Humm K, Church DB, Brodbelt D, O'Neill DG · 2022

    Cat recommendations
  9. Prospective study of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs eating nontraditional or traditional diets and in dogs with subclinical cardiac abnormalities

    Freeman L, Rush J, Adin D, Weeks K, Antoon K, Brethel S, Cunningham S, Santos LD, Girens R, Goldberg R, Karlin E, Lessard D, Lopez K, Rouben C, Vereb M, Yang V · 2022

    Dog recommendations · Food scoring
  10. Urolithiasis in cats: Evaluation of trends in urolith composition and risk factors (2005-2018)

    Kopecny L, Palm CA, Segev G, Larsen JA, Westropp JL · 2021

    Cat recommendations
  11. Effect of a low-fat diet on serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations and lipoprotein profiles in Miniature Schnauzers with hypertriglyceridemia

    Xenoulis PG, Cammarata PJ, Walzem RL, Suchodolski JS, Steiner JM · 2020

    Dog recommendations
  12. ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs

    Webster CRL, Center SA, Cullen JM, Penninck DG, Richter KP, Twedt DC, Watson PJ · 2019

    Dog recommendations
  13. Characterization of Paroxysmal Gluten-Sensitive Dyskinesia in Border Terriers Using Serological Markers

    Lowrie M, Garden OA, Hadjivassiliou M, Sanders DS, Powell R, Garosi L · 2018

    Dog recommendations
  14. Environmental Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus in Cats

    Öhlund M, Egenvall A, Fall T, Hansson-Hamlin H, Röcklinsberg H, Holst BS · 2017

    Cat recommendations
  15. Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus among 193,435 Cats Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in England

    O'Neill DG, Gostelow R, Orme C, Church DB, Niessen SJ, Verheyen K, Brodbelt DC · 2016

    Cat recommendations
  16. Dietary management of labrador retrievers with subclinical hepatic copper accumulation

    Fieten H, Biourge VC, Watson AL, Leegwater PA, van den Ingh TS, Rothuizen J · 2015

    Dog recommendations
  17. Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Insured Swedish Cats in Relation to Age, Breed and Sex

    Öhlund M, Fall T, Ström Holst B, Hansson-Hamlin H, Bonnett B, Egenvall A · 2015

    Cat recommendations
  18. Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a cohort of British Shorthair cats in Denmark

    Granström S, Godiksen MT, Christiansen M, Pipper CB, Willesen JL, Koch J · 2011

    Cat recommendations
  19. Serum triglyceride concentrations in Miniature Schnauzers with and without a history of probable pancreatitis

    Xenoulis PG, Levinski MD, Suchodolski JS, Steiner JM · 2011

    Dog recommendations
  20. Prevalence of the myosin-binding protein C mutation in Maine Coon cats

    Fries R, Heaney AM, Meurs KM · 2008

    Cat recommendations
  21. A review of phosphorus homeostasis and the impact of different types and amounts of dietary phosphate on metabolism and renal health in cats

    Laflamme D, Backus R, Brown S, Butterwick R, Czarnecki-Maulden G, Elliott J, Fascetti A, Polzin D · 2020

    Food scoring
  22. Evaluation of phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium content in commercially available foods formulated for healthy cats

    Summers SC, Stockman J, Larsen JA, Zhang L, Rodriguez AS · 2020

    Food scoring
Journal of Veterinary Medical Science1 paper
  1. Fish meal versus corn gluten meal as a protein source for dry cat food

    Funaba M, Tanaka T, Kaneko M, Iriki T, Hatano Y, Abe M · 2001

    Food scoring
Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics2 papers
  1. Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats

    Jerzsele Á, Karancsi Z, Pászti-Gere E, Sterczer Á, Bersényi A, Fodor K, Szabó D, Vajdovich P · 2018

    Cat recommendations
  2. Frequency of the nt230 (del4) MDR1 mutation in Collies and related dog breeds in Germany

    Geyer J, Döring B, Godoy JR, Leidolf R, Moritz A, Petzinger E · 2005

    Dog recommendations
Journal of Veterinary Science1 paper
  1. Nutritional evaluation of new alternative types of dog foods including raw and cooked homemade-style diets

    Choi B, Kim S, Jang G · 2023

    Food scoring
Life1 paper
  1. Impact of Animal By-Products on Diet Digestibility and Fecal Quality in Beagle Dogs

    Chuppava B, Siebert DC, Visscher C, Kamphues J, Abd El-Wahab A · 2023

    Food scoring
Massey University1 paper
  1. Effect of dietary processing on the gut microbiome of dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

    Tannahill, Lucy May · 2024

    Master's thesis; not a peer-reviewed journal article · Ziwi Ltd funded the project and supplied study diets

    Food scoring · Processing
New Zealand Veterinary Journal1 paper
  1. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for feline hyperthyroidism in New Zealand

    Olczak J, Jones BR, Pfeiffer DU, Squires RA, Morris RS, Markwell PJ · 2005

    Cat recommendations
Nutrients1 paper
  1. Peculiarities of One-Carbon Metabolism in the Strict Carnivorous Cat and the Role in Feline Hepatic Lipidosis

    Verbrugghe A, Bakovic M · 2013

    Food scoring
Nutrition Research Reviews1 paper
  1. The Maillard reaction and pet food processing: effects on nutritive value and pet health

    van Rooijen C, Bosch G, van der Poel AFB, Wierenga PA, Alexander L, Hendriks WH · 2013

    Food scoring
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage1 paper
  1. A dominant TRPV4 variant underlies osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish fold cats

    Gandolfi B, Alamri S, Darby WG, Adhikari B, Lattimer JC, Malik R, Wade CM, Lyons LA, Cheng J, Bateman JF, McIntyre P, Lamandé SR, Haase B · 2016

    Cat recommendations
PeerJ1 paper
  1. Molecular assessment of the fecal microbiota in healthy cats and dogs before and during supplementation with fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin using high-throughput 454-pyrosequencing

    Garcia-Mazcorro JF, Barcenas-Walls JR, Suchodolski JS, Steiner JM · 2017

    Food scoring · Supplemental product scoring
Pharmacogenetics1 paper
  1. Ivermectin sensitivity in collies is associated with a deletion mutation of the mdr1 gene

    Mealey KL, Bentjen SA, Gay JM, Cantor GH · 2001

    Dog recommendations
PLOS ONE9 papers
  1. Effects of poultry by-products inclusion in dry food on nutrient digestibility and fecal quality in Beagle dogs

    Abd El-Wahab A, Zeiger AL, Chuppava B, Visscher C, Kamphues J · 2022

    Food scoring
  2. Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in intact domestic shorthair kittens from the USA

    Salt C, German AJ, Henzel KS, Butterwick RF · 2022

    Cat recommendations
  3. Metabolisable energy content in canine and feline foods is best predicted by the NRC2006 equation

    Calvez J, Weber M, Ecochard C, Kleim L, Flanagan J, Biourge V, German AJ · 2019

    Food scoring
  4. Domestic dogs maintain clinical, nutritional, and hematological health outcomes when fed a commercial plant-based diet for a year

    Linde A, Lahiff M, Krantz A, Sharp N, Ng TT, Melgarejo T · 2024

    Food scoring
  5. Effects of a 28-day feeding trial of grain-containing versus pulse-based diets on cardiac function, taurine levels and digestibility in domestic dogs

    Quilliam C, Reis LG, Ren Y, Ai Y, Weber LP · 2023

    Food scoring
  6. Energy Requirements of Adult Dogs: A Meta-Analysis

    Bermingham EN, Thomas DG, Cave NJ, Morris PJ, Butterwick RF, German AJ · 2014

    Food scoring
  7. Factorial calculation of calcium and phosphorus requirements of growing dogs

    Böswald LF, Klein C, Dobenecker B, Kienzle E · 2019

    Food scoring
  8. Short-term amino acid, clinicopathologic, and echocardiographic findings in healthy dogs fed a commercial plant-based diet

    Cavanaugh SM, Cavanaugh RP, Gilbert GE, Leavitt EL, Ketzis JK, Vieira AB · 2021

    Food scoring
  9. Starch to protein ratio and food moisture content influence water balance and urine supersaturation in cats

    Gonçalves Tozato ME, de Souza Theodoro S, Warde Luis L, Bassi Scarpim L, da Cunha Costa P, Judice Maria AP, Tadeu Pereira G, Cavalieri Carciofi A · 2024

    Food scoring
Poultry Science1 paper
  1. The amino acid composition and protein quality of various egg, poultry meal by-products, and vegetable proteins used in the production of dog and cat diets

    Donadelli RA, Jones CK, Beyer RS · 2019

    Food scoring
Preventive Veterinary Medicine4 papers
  1. Overweight and obese body condition in ∼4.9 million dogs and ∼1.3 million cats seen at primary practices across the USA: Prevalences by life stage from early growth to senior

    Montoya M, Péron F, Hookey T, Morrison J, German AJ, Gaillard V, Flanagan J · 2025

    Dog recommendations
  2. Association of neutering with health and welfare of urban free-roaming cat population in Israel, during 2012-2014

    Gunther I, Raz T, Klement E · 2018

    Cat recommendations
  3. Risk factors identified for owner-reported feline obesity at around one year of age: Dry diet and indoor lifestyle

    Rowe E, Browne W, Casey R, Gruffydd-Jones T, Murray J · 2015

    Cat recommendations
  4. Risk factors associated with calcium oxalate urolithiasis in dogs evaluated at general care veterinary hospitals in the United States

    Okafor CC, Lefebvre SL, Pearl DL, Yang M, Wang M, Blois SL, Lund EM, Dewey CE · 2014

    Dog recommendations
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society1 paper
  1. Veterinary clinical nutrition: success stories: an overview

    Davies M · 2016

    Food scoring
Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids1 paper
  1. A prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on the clinical signs and erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations in dogs with osteoarthritis

    Mehler SJ, May LR, King C, Harris WS, Shah Z · 2016

    Supplemental product scoring
Research in Veterinary Science1 paper
  1. Effects of neutering on bodyweight, metabolic rate and glucose tolerance of domestic cats

    Fettman MJ, Stanton CA, Banks LL, et al. · 1997

    Cat recommendations
Scientific Reports2 papers
  1. Investigation of diets associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs using foodomics analysis

    Smith CE, Parnell LD, Lai CQ, Rush JE, Freeman LM · 2021

    Food scoring
  2. Prevalence and risk factors of feline lower urinary tract disease in Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Piyarungsri K, Tangtrongsup S, Thitaram N, Lekklar P, Kittinuntasilp A · 2020

    Cat recommendations
The Journal of Nutrition2 papers
  1. Fecal Bile Acid Excretion and Taurine Status in Cats Fed Canned and Dry Diets

    Anantharaman-Barr G, Ballèvre O, Gicquello P, Bracco-Hammer I, Vuichoud J, Montigon F, Fern E · 1994

    Food scoring
  2. Vitamin E Requirement of Adult Cats Increases Slightly with High Dietary Intake of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

    Hendriks WH, Wu YB, Rutherfurd KJ, Shields RG, Newcomb M, Belay T, Wilson J · 2002

    Food scoring
The Veterinary Journal5 papers
  1. A high protein high fibre diet improves weight loss in obese dogs

    German AJ, Holden SL, Bissot T, Morris PJ, Biourge V · 2010

    Food scoring · Dog recommendations
  2. Skeletal and hepatic changes induced by chronic vitamin A supplementation in cats

    Corbee RJ, Tryfonidou MA, Grinwis GCM, Schotanus B, Molenaar MR, Voorhout G, Vaandrager AB, Heuven HCM, Hazewinkel HAW · 2014

    Supplemental product scoring
  3. A large case-control study indicates a breed-specific predisposition to feline tooth resorption

    Vapalahti K, Neittaanmäki H, Lohi H, Virtala AM · 2024

    Cat recommendations
  4. Associations between increased body condition score, bodyweight, age and breed with urethral obstruction in male castrated cats

    Jukes A, Lui M, Morton JM, Marshall R, Yeow N, Gunew M · 2019

    Cat recommendations
  5. Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis

    McCarthy G, O'Donovan J, Jones B, McAllister H, Seed M, Mooney C · 2007

    Dog recommendations · Supplemental product scoring
Theriogenology1 paper
  1. Relationships between fetal biometry, maternal factors and birth weight of purebred domestic cat kittens

    Gatel L, Rosset E, Chalvet-Monfray K, Buff S, Rault DN · 2011

    Cat recommendations
Topics in Companion Animal Medicine1 paper
  1. Analysis of selected nutrients and contaminants in fish oil supplements for dogs

    Ober LR, Larsen JA, Hoffman LE, Puschner B, Fascetti AJ · 2025

    Supplemental product scoring
Translational Animal Science5 papers
  1. A commercial grain-free diet does not decrease plasma amino acids and taurine status but increases bile acid excretion when fed to Labrador Retrievers

    Renan A Donadelli, Julia G Pezzali, Patricia M Oba, Kelly S Swanson, Craig Coon, Jessica Varney, Christine Pendlebury, Anna K Shoveller · 2020

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  2. Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy estimation in commercial fresh and extruded dry kibble dog foods

    Jirayu Tanprasertsuk, LeeAnn M Perry, Devon E Tate, Ryan W Honaker, Justin Shmalberg · 2021

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  3. Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility of frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, fresh, and extruded dog foods and their effects on serum metabolites and fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs

    Elizabeth L Geary, Patrícia M Oba, James R Templeman, Kelly S Swanson · 2024

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  4. Evaluation of selected categories of pet treats using in vitro assay and texture analysis

    He F, Holben G, de Godoy MRC · 2020

    Supplemental product scoring
  5. Use of precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay and digestible indispensable amino acid scores to characterize plant- and yeast-concentrated proteins for inclusion in canine and feline diets

    Reilly LM, von Schaumburg PC, Hoke JM, Davenport GM, Utterback PL, Parsons CM, de Godoy MRC · 2020

    Food scoring
Turkish Journal of Parasitology1 paper
  1. Emerging Insights into Feline Hepatozoonosis in Türkiye: Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Characterization from the Aegean Coast

    Hacılarlıoğlu S, Pekağırbaş M · 2025

    Cat recommendations
Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology1 paper
  1. Efficacy of an oral nutraceutical for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled prospective clinical trial

    Scott RM, Evans R, Conzemius MG · 2017

    Dog recommendations
Veterinary and Human Toxicology1 paper
  1. Weakness, tremors, and depression associated with macadamia nuts in dogs

    Hansen SR, Buck WB, Meerdink G, Khan SA · 2000

    Dog recommendations
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice2 papers
  1. Canine Copper-Associated Hepatitis

    Dirksen K, Fieten H · 2017

    Dog recommendations
  2. Epidemiology of canine calcium oxalate uroliths

    Lulich JP, Osborne CA, Thumchai R, et al. · 1999

    Dog recommendations
Veterinary Dermatology3 papers
  1. Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Dermatophytosis in a Referral Practice in Italy: A Retrospective Study in Different Feline Breeds

    Colombo S, Fabbri E, Scarampella F · 2026

    Cat recommendations
  2. The effects of a topical lipid complex therapy on dogs with atopic dermatitis: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

    Hobi S, Klinger C, Classen J, Mueller RS · 2017

    Dog recommendations
  3. Zinc-responsive dermatosis in dogs: 41 cases and literature review

    White SD, Bourdeau P, Rosychuk RA, Cohen B, Bonenberger T, Fieseler KV, Ihrke P, Chapman PL, Schultheiss P, Zur G, Cannon A, Outerbridge C · 2001

    Dog recommendations
Veterinary Medicine and Science1 paper
  1. Influence of the dietary fibre levels on faecal hair excretion after 14 days in short and long-haired domestic cats

    Weber M, Sams L, Feugier A, Michel S, Biourge V · 2015

    Cat recommendations
Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports1 paper
  1. Effectiveness of NEM® brand eggshell membrane in the treatment of suboptimal joint function in dogs: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

    Ruff KJ, Kopp KJ, Von Behrens P, Lux M, Mahn M, Back M · 2016

    Supplemental product scoring
Veterinary Practice: Small Animals and Pets1 paper
  1. Prevalence of and risk factors for feline hyperthyroidism among a clinic population in Southern Germany

    Köhler I, Ballhausen BD, Stockhaus C, Hartmann K, Wehner A · 2016

    Cat recommendations
Veterinary Record4 papers
  1. Chronic kidney disease in cats attending primary care practice in the UK: a VetCompass(TM) study

    Conroy M, Brodbelt DC, O'Neill D, Chang YM, Elliott J · 2019

    Cat recommendations
  2. Prevalence of radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease in a hospital population of cats

    Clarke SP, Mellor D, Clements DN, Gemmill T, Farrell M, Carmichael S, Bennett D · 2005

    Cat recommendations
  3. Effects of diets with different calcium and phosphorus contents on the skeletal development and blood chemistry of growing great danes

    Schoenmakers I, Hazewinkel HA, Voorhout G, Carlson CS, Richardson D · 2000

    Dog recommendations
  4. Study of ingredients and nutrient composition of commercially available treats for dogs

    Morelli G, Fusi E, Tenti S, Serva L, Marchesini G, Diez M, Ricci R · 2018

    Food scoring
Veterinary Record Open1 paper
  1. Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT4529) supplementation on healthy cat performance

    Fusi E, Rizzi R, Polli M, Cannas S, Giardini A, Bruni N, Marelli SP · 2019

    Food scoring · Product evidence
Veterinary Sciences3 papers
  1. Digestibility Is Similar between Commercial Diets That Provide Ingredients with Different Perceived Glycemic Responses and the Inaccuracy of Using the Modified Atwater Calculation to Calculate Metabolizable Energy

    Natalie J Asaro, Marcial A Guevara, Kimberley Berendt, Ruurd Zijlstra, Anna K Shoveller · 2017

    Food scoring · Product evidence
  2. Raw Meat-Based Diets in Dogs and Cats

    Fredriksson-Ahomaa M, Heikkilä T, Pernu N, Kovanen S, Hielm-Björkman A, Kivistö R · 2017

    Cat recommendations
  3. Cats and Carbohydrates: The Carnivore Fantasy?

    Verbrugghe A, Hesta M · 2017

    Food scoring
Veterinary Surgery1 paper
  1. Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of radiographic degenerative joint disease in domesticated cats

    Lascelles BD, Henry JB 3rd, Brown J, Robertson I, Sumrell AT, Simpson W, Wheeler S, Hansen BD, Zamprogno H, Freire M, Pease A · 2010

    Cat recommendations
Veterinary World2 papers
  1. Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats in Khon Kaen, Northeast Thailand

    Lakhamsen N, Chaisongkhram C, Pattarasuplerk Y, Macotpet A, Seesupa S, Lertitthikul N, Bupata P, Kunkitti P · 2022

    Cat recommendations
  2. Comparison of subclinical dermatophyte infection in short- and long-haired cats

    Sattasathuchana P, Bumrungpun C, Thengchaisri N · 2020

    Cat recommendations
Vienna Clinical Weekly1 paper
  1. [Interhost migration behaviour of Ctenocephalides felis on cats and in their resting sites]

    Beck W, Stickel M · 2008

    Cat recommendations

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